1xBet and 22Bet Use FIFA+ Streams for Live Betting
The organization Play the Game published an investigation stating that the operators 1xBet and 22Bet use rebroadcasts from the FIFA+ streaming service on their websites to offer live betting on matches from lower-tier football leagues.
Use of FIFA+ for Betting on Lower Leagues
In late October and early November 2025, journalists identified more than 100 matches available for live betting that were streamed on the FIFA+ platform. These matches came from domestic leagues in Aruba, Curaçao, Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Liberia, Malawi, Mauritania, and the Seychelles.
Most of these competitions are at an amateur or semi-professional level. National federations and leagues generally do not monitor betting markets or investigate suspicious matches. Federation representatives confirmed that they were unaware that the broadcasts were being used for betting purposes.
The Role of 1xBet and 22Bet
The websites of 1xBet and 22Bet regularly offered live bets on these matches. In some cases, the operators used the same video streams that appeared on FIFA+. According to the investigation, these operators are considered illegal in several jurisdictions because they accept bets without holding local licenses.
The football federations of Aruba and the Seychelles officially stated that they had not granted permission for their broadcasts to be used for betting activities and had no knowledge that bookmakers had access to the video streams.
Broadcast Delays and the Role of Data Providers
FIFA+ streams are delayed by more than 10 seconds. This creates a risk for bookmakers, as spectators inside the stadium can receive information before betting lines are updated.
To address this, sports data providers:
- Sportradar
- Genius Sports
- Stats Perform
send scouts to matches to collect real-time statistics. The average payment for this work is €30–50 per match. The collected data is then sold to betting operators, including offshore companies.
Risks of Manipulation and Match-Fixing
Live bets on individual match events—such as goals, cards, or fouls—are easier to manipulate than the final result. Experts interviewed by Play the Game note that combining lower-league broadcasts with live betting increases the risk of interference in matches.
In several countries in the Caribbean and Southeast Asia, suspicious incidents have previously been reported during matches that were simultaneously streamed and offered for betting.
Security of FIFA+ Streams
Live video streams are delivered through content delivery networks, but without encryption they can be intercepted. Media security specialists point out that sports broadcasts are often protected less effectively than film and television content.
This allows third parties to access the streams and use them on external websites, including betting platforms.
FIFA’s Position
FIFA declined to answer direct questions about how bookmakers gain access to FIFA+ streams. The organization stated that it works with relevant UN bodies and Interpol on issues related to match-fixing and the protection of football competitions.
At the same time, representatives of federations from the Caribbean region and Africa said they had not been informed about the consequences of streaming matches on FIFA+, including the presence of data scouts and the appearance of betting on illegal markets.